Natalie & Matthew

A chic rural multi day wedding celebration in a luxury eco lodge in Spain

Editorial & style forward documentary wedding photography on film and digital format

Nat and Matt had truly succeeded to create their own little countryside paradise filled with well thought details and unforgettable moments. Only half an hour from Sotogrande and 1 and half hours from Marbella this Finca was tucked away and felt like secret hidden gem in the rolling hills of Andalusia. The way it felt like time could just stop and the rest of the world would not matter anymore, that kind of feeling.

We knew this wedding would be very special since it was booked two years ago and we met the couple in La Zambra and came with a prepped surprise for the sunset we were about to experience together in the Marbella beach. They both had tear in their eyes when they saw that we had surprised them with their favourite cocktail on the beach served in a vintage collection of whisky glasses and ice holders. From there, we know we wanted to created something so unique for these two.

After talking with their amazing wedding planner Marta from Koinai events we got an idea what the days would look like but nothing prepared us for the actual wedding days. The whole venue was filled with unique details and experiences including, a on site Marbella Cocktail studio with their talented bartenders, the most beautiful charcuterie spreads and Italy inspired food menus, coffee truck and cigar roller with cigars named after the couple, and this is just to name a few!

The start

We arrived to the venue an hour early to fly our drone around the beautiful landscapes and to capture their details. I was quite sure that we would truly enjoy seeing all the details that couple has and to document them in the beautiful Finca Gloria, we were not wrong! As an editorial photographer I really enjoy this part of the day and always have the most creative ideas when I know how much the things mean to my couple. This was a mix vintage cufflinks form the brides grandpa and matching shoes and beautiful diamond jewellery.

Matt’s getting ready was a mix of portraits and more documentary style wedding photography the grooms men strolling in the beautiful views with cigars in their hands and the brides maids in their beautiful colourful dresses in the garden full of sunshine. The early day was such a perfect time to have the first look of the couple and a few more editorial portraits around the venue.

First look and portraits

The bride had a first look with her dad and handed a handkerchief with a message and then with the groom. Everyone in tears of course. These are the kind of moments that you are waiting for the longest time in your life and was so special to witness and capture these photos.

For their portraits, I know I first wanted the views of their beautiful venue and second, a white wall to make sure I have really captured the couple in a very style forward way. I wanted to make sure the portraits are authentic to them really represent them as a couple and at the same time show the surroundings but also even tho we were in the countryside, I wanted to bring the chic side of their style elements in to the spotlight.

Ceremony

It was such a raw beautiful and emotional gathering of all the guests in from of the stunning view from the garden. It was so dramatic, the clouds came in just when the bride was walking in. As a documentary wedding photographer, first I like to focus on the couple and then just capture the reactions of the the guests that are so special to see since the couple probably has no idea what is happening in the audience haha! I absolutely loved the decor. There was an aperol spritz corner for a little welcome drink and just tiny ribbons on every chair leading up to the isle and the rest was nature. As a film wedding photographer in Spain capturing the day, I love documenting moments just as they are without interruption and with the lush nature that we have here in Andalusia, you don’t need much more! I adore that nothing was trying to compete with the beautiful views but rather working with it.

Cocktail hour in the courtyard

As we had already taken all the wedding portraits, we ran straight to the cocktail! It was so much fun observing everyone have such a great time and of course our wedding couple was the first one in the queue for the Marbella Cocktail studios stylish set up and in no time they had their old fashions in their hands! I have to say as a cocktail lover it was so much fun to capture everyone with a different cocktail in their hand!

Reception in the back garden

The wedding planner Marta came to let us know that the dinner area was ready and candles were lit! One of my favourite times.. We grabbed the wedding couple with us to see what was created. It was like from the pinterest board of the bride, absolutely beautiful. We took a few portraits, groom smoking a cigar and the bride elegantly wearing her gloves while gazing to the distance to see the sun set over the hills. MAGICAL.

Just in time after some detail table shots the guests started walking in to find their seats. Everyone was taking pictures of the beautiful candle lit table. The couple got the mic and told everyone to read their handwritten letter and in no time the whole table was wiping tears.. so sweet. As an editorial wedding photographer here in Spain, I focus on clean composition, movement, and real moments rather than a lot of staged posing. We went to observe the dinner a bit further, fly the drone in the sunset and admired the food coming in. The table was full of laughter, wine and conversations. Just after the sunset a coffee van parked in front of the dinner space and offered everyone a cup of coffee in the personalised cups picturing the two dogs of the wedding couple, I mean details like these make me smile so much!

The party

Time for the dance floor! I was not expecting any less from this party than to have the best time on the dance floor, surrounded by endless cocktails and a on site cigar roller with their names on the cigars! What!? Needless to say, it was a party! Late night, all the guests dancing in the stars in the tucked in courtyard of this magical place, stunning!! We ended the night with capturing a game of pool and the bride walking in to score the last shot.

For this day I loved mixing more traditional documentary style wedding photography for the ceremony, but then adding editorial portraits to represent the style forward wedding day. I never want to choose the exact style I will shoot, it’s always a bit of a mix to fit the uniqueness of my couples but one thing is for sure, 35mm wedding film photography is for everyone! Absolutely loved switching through my film rolls of Kodak Gold 200 and Portra 800!

The day was one of our favourites to experience and to capture. Just seeing Nat and Matt fully immersed in to the moments and enjoying every second of it was truly a dream to be a part of. ❤️

If you are planning a wedding in Spain, Italy or anywhere in Europe and feel drawn to editorial and documentary film photography, I would love to hear from you.

You can get in touch through my contact page here and find out more about my wedding packages here.

Photography mixed digitals and 35mm film 🎞️

Wedding planner: Koinai Events | Venue: Finca la Gloria | Catering: Wild Estepona

Desserts: Tiziana Cakes | Coffee van: Coffee G.O.A.T | Cocktails: Marbella Cocktail Studio

Make up & hair: Julia Beauty Stylist | Magician: Boes Magic | Cigar Roller: Torcedor de Puros

Florals: Las Flores de Reding | DJ: Dj Alex Barroso | Sound & light: Star Events ES